Pupils in the mood for jazz
BIG band music is not something from a bygone era – in the hands of South Africa’s passionate young musicians from all walks of life, it’s infused with a vibrant contemporary sound that’s guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your feet moving!
And much of the credit for its popularity locally goes to the Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival, which celebrates 20 years of making music dreams come true this year.
Taking place from May 30 until June 2 at the Baxter Theatre’s concert hall in Rondebosch, the 20th anniversary of the festival promises an upbeat celebration of youthful exuberance expressed through big band music.
The festival gives jazz bands and big bands from about 25 junior schools and high schools from across the country, as well as university and community bands, the golden opportunity to perform on a professional stage to test their musical mettle.
Over four entertainment-packed days, they’ll be treating audiences to a feast of energising music ranging from familiar big band favourites to arrangements of much-loved South African jazz standards and even rock music classics.
These budding young musicians will be joined by two alumni big bands made up of past participants and professional guest performers.
One of these all-star bands is led by Dr Gordon Vernick, professor of music and co-ordinator of jazz studies at Georgia State University in the US; the other will be helmed by Professor Mike Campbell of the South African College of Music at UCT.
Diane Rossi, of the South African Association for Jazz Education, says: “The annual Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festival is more than an event – it has become a highlight of the Cape Town music calendar.
“Thank you for promoting big band music and providing a platform for school big bands to ‘strut their stuff’. Here’s to the next 20 years,” she says.
Bring your family, friends and colleagues to the festival and be swept along on a feel-good wave of big band euphoria!
Tickets range from R70 (for pupils, students and senior citizens) to R120 per day. Book at Webtickets, Pick n Pay or the Baxter Theatre on 021 685 7880. Visit www.ctbigbandjazzfest.co.za